In the beginning, I showered my peace lily with attention. Watered it religiously, misted its leaves, even serenaded it with Mozart (okay, maybe that was a bit much). And yet, it sulked. Leaves drooped, edges browned, it practically sighed dramatically. I was this close to scheduling it an appointment with a plant therapist (do those exist?). Then, in a moment of frustrated inspiration, I decided to try the opposite approach. I ignored it. Well, not entirely, but I cut back on the watering, skipped the Mozart, and basically treated it like a roommate who owed me money. And guess what? It perked up! Turns out, too much love, like overwatering, can be suffocating. Sometimes, a little space and a dose of reality (or in this case, slightly drier soil) is all we need to thrive.

Life Lesson #2: Celebrate Small Victories (and New Growth!)

My peace lily wasn’t a drama queen all the time. In fact, after my tough-love epiphany, it started to flourish. And every new leaf that unfurled, every subtle shift towards the sunlight, felt like a major victory. I found myself celebrating these milestones with an enthusiasm that surprised even me. A little voice in my head (okay, it was my own voice, but still) said, “See, you did that! You helped something grow!” It was a powerful reminder that life is full of small victories, if we just take the time to notice and appreciate them. A completed project at work, a delicious meal cooked at home, even a clean bathroom—these are all tiny triumphs worthy of a mental high-five (or a happy dance in the privacy of your own bathroom, no judgment here).